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The Best Craft Beer Bar in Every State

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The Best Craft Beer Bar in Every State

The Best Craft Beer Bar in Every State


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Alabama

The J. Clyde
1312 Cobb Lane
Birmingham, AL

If you have pizza on your menu whose dough is made from spent grain, we’re going to assume you care a bit about beer. The J. Clyde in Birmingham taps local favorites from breweries like Fairhope and Good People—yes, we’ll take all your Snake Handler please—along with gems from all over the country. Often pushing the “Always Craft. Never Factory.” motto, The J. Clyde is a craft beer bar down to its very soul. Packed with just shy of 100 taps and a bottle collection sprinkled with gems, The J. Clyde is not only the best craft beer bar in Alabama, it’s one of the best in the entire country. Link


Arkansas

Ozark Mountain Taproom
140 E. Van Buren
Eureka Springs, AR

Let’s get this out of the way: Arkansas isn’t the heart of craft beer country. In fact, it’s nowhere near the heart. It’s like the toenail. That said, there are breweries in Arkansas starting to put out some really nice beers, and to taste those beers, we recommend Ozark Mountain Taproom. They only tap beers from Arkansas-based breweries. So if you want to try something from Fossil Cove, Saddlebock, Apple Blossom, or one of the other breweries locals only seem to know, it’s a one stop pint shop. Link


Florida

Mermaid Juice
458 N. Highland St.
Mount Dora, FL

“Cigar City CAFE con LECHE on NITRO!!!!! OMG!!!!!!” That’s an example of what’s written on Mermaid Juice’s tap list, but we do echo their sentiments in a slightly more reserved way. Funky Buddha? Check. Cigar City? Check. Great brews from outside the Sunshine State? Those are covered, too. The funky joint defies classification, with an odd antiques shop attached that you’ll want to steer clear of if you’ve pounded a few too many. Truly one-of-a-kind. Link


Georgia

Brick Store Pub
125 E. Court Square
Decatur, GA

For the first seven years of its existence, the Brick Store Pub was hampered by Georgia’s 6% ABV law—beer over 6% alcohol by volume couldn’t be served in the state. When that law was repealed in 2004, the Georgia pub unleashed a killer Belgian room and started to really take the state by storm. Today, you’ll find a stellar craft lineup along with a seriously impressive Belgian section. Choose from 22 taps and 75 bottles in the main space and another 8 draughts and 120 bottles in Belgian area. Link


Kentucky

Holy Grale
1034 Bardstown Rd.
Louisville, KY

Located inside an old Unitarian church that was built in the early 1900s, the Holy Grale is the answer to Kentucky’s beer-related prayers. With 28 rotating taps, an extensive bottle list, and a menu inspired by local farms and producers, it’s the kind of spot that’s just as good for dinner and drinks as it is for just drinks. You can even take the party upstairs to the choir loft where you can enjoy a beer a bit closer to the heavens. Link


Louisiana

The Avenue Pub
1732 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA

New Orleans isn’t just about frozen cocktails and 3-for-1 macro cans. The Avenue Pub, one of the finest beer bars in the country, is located in the historic Lower Garden District and is ready to blow your craft beer-loving mind. One peek at the “Big Beer List,” with its 41 beers on tap and 130+ bottles, which just happened to include Founders CBS at the time of writing, should be enough to convince any beer fan they’re in the right spot. Mixed in with the local favorites and legendary beers from around the world, you might just find an award-winning homebrew on tap, as well. When your bead stock has run dry, make haste to The Avenue Pub. Link


Mississippi

The Mahogany Bar
3810 Hardy St.
Hattiesburg, MS

With 12 taps dedicated to locals, The Mahogany Bar is doing Mississippi proud. Of course, when you’ve had your fill of Lazy Magnolia, Lucky Town, and Crooked Letter, feel free to branch out with regional drafts, and when you’ve had your fill of those, assuming you’re still standing, feel free to peruse the beers from around the rest of the country. While not the purpose of this list, we have to mention they have a pretty stellar whiskey selection, as well. Link


North Carolina

Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse
14015 Conlan Circle
Charlotte, NC

Duckworth’s has become a North Carolina institution, opening multiple locations over the years. All are good, but our stop is usually the Charlotte/Ballantyne location. On tap you’ll find plenty to delight your palate. Wicked Weed and NoDa are well-represented. You’ll even find plenty from Birdsong, Red Oak, and other North Carolina breweries you might not know as much about. Oddly enough, when Duckworth’s first opened in 2004, it offered an impressive ice cream bar. When that idea didn’t take off with customers, they turned to beer. It was a good decision. Link


Oklahoma

Republic Gastropub
5830 N Classen Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK

Blending upscale food, a slightly swanky vibe, and delicious craft beer, Republic is one of the finest bars in all of OKC. With well over 300 beers to choose from, including some from Oklahoma breweries, Republic has put beer at the forefront of the dining experience. It’s elevated pub food with enough drink options to make your head spin. Whether you spot some Bomb! from Prairie Artisan Ales, or opt for something a tad more common, you’ll be in good hands. Link


South Carolina

Edmund’s Oast
1081 Morrison Dr.
Charleston, SC

Its unique name comes from Edmund Egan, an English-born brewer who took up shop in Charleston in the 1760s, and an “oast,” a kiln used to dry hops. Edmund’s Oast honors the so-called “rebel brewer.” The impressive tap list mixes Edmund’s Oast-brewed oddities like Peanut Butter and Jelly beer with incredible brews from all over the world. Local breweries like Revelry and COAST are well-represented, and you can find bottles like Bo & Luke from Against the Grain and stunners from Westbrook for purchase, as well. The two owners have a long history with beer, opening the state’s first all craft beer store back in the mid-2000s and befriending brewers after their move from New York. There aren’t many better places in all of the States. Link


Tennessee

Hops & Crafts
319 12th Avenue South
Nashville, TN

With a focus on local brews, Hops & Crafts is a welcome spot in the hip Gulch neighborhood. From area IPAs to lush and local stouts, you’ll find a good bit of Tennessee when you stop in. And if you’re not familiar with many of the brews, the guys let you snag a “6-pack sampler” so you can try them out before you get a growler to go. Link


Texas

The Hay Merchant
110 Westheimer
Houston, TX

With a name that might bring to mind crushing a few Bud cans after a long day in the sun, The Hay Merchant is actually a craft lovers paradise. Beers get poured at the proper temperature, in the proper glassware, and by the proper people who know what they’re talking about. Oh, and about those beers, you’ll want to get your fill of Karbach while in town, and there isn’t a better place to do it. After you’ve consumed your fill of Karbach’s hoppy gems, proceed on to the rest of the killer tap list. Link


Virginia

Mekong
6004 W Broad St.
Richmond, VA

While it’s easy for a brewery to become known, the same can’t be said for a beer bar. Mekong is one of the rare ones that has. Vietnamese food and rare, delicious beer is what they do, and they do it well. Don’t let the strip mall façade fool you, inside is a craft brew Mecca with a selection that few bars in the world can match. Link


West Virginia

Summit Beer Station
210 11th St
Huntington, WV

If we’re being honest, it’s a sad state of craft affairs in West Virginia. With few places willing to pick up the flag, we can say that Summit Beer Station is doing a commendable job. While it might not rival the greatest bars in California—kinda tough when your distribution is so limited—the team at Summit Beer Station has really brought some solid craft brews to the Huntington area. Link



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